The Menier Chocolate Factory has confirmed that a new adaptation of Manuel Puig’s novel will play at the theatre from the 8th March.

Directed by Laurie Sansom, Kiss of the Spider Woman has been adapted for the stage by Jose Rivera, based on the original translation by Allan Baker.

A provocative tale of love, victimisation, fantasy and the friendship that develops between two strikingly different men imprisoned together in a Latin American jail. 

Originally written in 1976, Kiss of the Spider Woman was first adapted for the stage by Puig  which was then translated into English by Baker in 1983. The first stage production took place at the Bush Theatre, starring Mark Rylance and Simon Callow.

This latest production sees Laurie Sansom directing for the first time at the Menier Chocolate Factory, having previously been Artistic Director of the National Theatre of Scotland and the Royal and Derngate in Northampton. His credits include The James Plays by Rona Munro (Evening Standard award Best Play) and Beyond The Horizon by Eugene O’Neill (National Theatre – Evening Standard nomination Best Director).

Playwright Jose Rivera’s previous work includes:  Marisol, Cloud Tectonics, and References to Salvador Dali Make Me Hot. He was also nominated for an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for the film The Motorcycle Diaries.

The production will also feature design by Jon Bausor, lighting by Paul Anderson and sound by Philip Pinsky. Casting for the production has yet to be announced.

Kiss of the Spider Woman will play at the Menier Chocolate Factory from the 8th March until the 5th May. For more information and to book tickets visit: https://www.menierchocolatefactory.com/Online/default.asp